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North’s political institutions in very precarious position – Adams

Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams TD has said the future of
political structures in the North are in a very precarious position because of
the determination of the British Government and unionist parties, to implement
hugely destructive cuts.

Speaking in the Dáil during statements on the North, Gerry
Adams said:

“The political structures are currently in a very precarious
position.

“In the 17 years since the Agreement was achieved, it has
faced many challenges. Many commitments in the Good Friday Agreement have
not been implemented.

“However, the current determination of the British
Government and unionist parties, to implement hugely destructive cuts to the
fabric of society in the North, represents one of the gravest threats yet to
the institutions.

“The British Budget is a clear assault on working families
and those on low pay. Instead of austerity, the Northern Executive needs a
sustainable and workable budget, investment and powers to grow the economy and
deliver public services.

“Sinn Féin will not be agents of cuts imposed on
citizens in the North at the behest of the Tories. Others who may be prepared
to perform this role should be mindful that these cuts will affect unionist and
loyalist citizens as well as everyone else.

“Sinn Féin wants the political institutions to work and to
deliver for citizens.

“Despite all difficulties, the Executive, Assembly and
all-Ireland institutions have worked much better for citizens than the years of
direct rule by unaccountable British Ministers and decades of one-party rule by
the Ulster Unionist Party.

“So, our preference is for the current institutions to stay
in place, but this cannot be at any price.

“Sinn Féin does not expect conservative governments in
Dublin or London to change their political or ideological positions. They are
both wedded to the austerity agenda. However, we do expect them to accept the
special circumstances of the North, as a society coming out of conflict.

“We expect both Governments to accept the need for an
economic dividend to the necessary process of peace-building and change. We
demand that they fully implement the Good Friday and subsequent agreements.”

The Sinn Féin Leader said both Governments needed to
implement those elements of the Stormont House Agreement that deal with the
past and legacy issues and that the Irish Government needed to play a more
active and constructive role in the North.

“This Government has been detached in its
approach, but you are not unique. This was also a feature of Governments of
which Micheál Martin was a member. Citizens in this State expect the
Oireachtas to be proactively involved in the peace process. Citizens in the
North expect the same. The Dáil needs to break out of a Partitionist mind-set.”